The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1887-01-07
WASHINGTON LETTER
tFrom our Regular Correspondent
WAsutNeroN ID. C.. Jan. 8.

trfOlu Our htHuihT tOrrtbpOnutntsl
WASHINGTON, d. g., Jan. Q, 1887.
The annual levee at the White
House last Saturday passed off pleas
antly to both host and guests. Logis-
lators aud officials, judiciary and di-
plomats, soldiers aud sailors, veterans
and civilians, old age and youth, wealth
aud poverty, fame and obscurity, aris.
tocracy and democracy, came, as usual
to pay respect and express good wishes
TO the Chief Magistrate
Without the Mansion the scene was
bleak and slusby and cold, although the
weather predictions had done all in
their power to make it bright. But
within everything was cheerful enough
All the State apartments were thrown
open and were ablaze with gas jets,
and blooming with flowers. One thou
sand trees and pots of plants had been
brought from the conservatory for dec
Grafton.
As the President was Just recover
ing from another rheumatic attack
which had kept him prisoner for more
than week, it was thought he would
not be able to endure the whole ordeal
of the three hours of bandshaking, but
would be compelled to retire from
fatigue before the reception was over.
His condition was the cause of much
solicitude on the part of Mrs. Cleve-
land and the Cabinet officers, who
wanted him to remain seated during
the intervals between the reception of
the various bodies. He would not
yield to their wishes, however, but
stood up to his task bravely until the
last, though he was very tired.
After the officials had passed through
the public was received, and visitors
then came in, from actual count, at the
rate of 800 to every ten minutes. The
throng soon became dense inside the
Mansion. The Blue Room, in which
the receiving party stood, became suf-
focatingly warm and the Precipitation
rolled from the Presidents face in
streams. The corridors were choked
with people, and before the police
could induce them to move into the
East Room, some ladies tainted
This was the first time since 1881
when a presidents wife has appeared
at New Years reception in the White
House, and the first in thirty years
since a Democratic Presidents wife
has presided there, 1857 being the last
year that President and Mrs. Pierce
were al the Executive Mansion. Con-
sequently the pleasure expressed at
having so young lady as Mrs Cltve-
land there, is not a matter of surprise.
One member of the Corps Diploma
tique tells story about another enthu-
siastic diplomat who was so delighted
with Mrs Cleveland, that, after sha-
king hands with her, be testified his
admiration by kissing the inside of his
own hand which had touched hers.
The elderly Senator from Vermont,
Mr.. Morrill,, who is, OF course, Re
publican, expressed his approval of
Mrs. Cleveland in the following char.
acteristic way, Said he I: "Wbie there
is difference of opinion as to those
holding some of the places the Pres-
dent has filled by appointment, the
vacancy he had chosen to ill by the
selection of lady to preside at the
White House is acceptable to every
one."
When this was repeated to the Presi-
dent he said cordially 81 am glad they
did not try to thwarl me in that" "You
did not ask the advice and consent of
the Senate in that matter" suggested
a lady present. "No, indeed, | didn't"
calculated Mr.. Cleveland, as if very
thankful that the Constitution of the
United States did not make it obliga-
tory.
Congress will convene again to-
morrow. Since it adjourned for the
holidays, General Logan's death has
made the Illinois Senatorship subject
of interesting speculation. 1t is re-
garded as matter of considerable
political Importance, for the reason
that whoever receives the cornplimen-
tary vote of the Democratic Members
of the Illinois Legislature. will natur-
ally become conspicuous figure of
his party two years hence, in case the
Democrats should then control the
Legislature.
1t is too early to say what effect the
death of General Logan will have upon
his party, but the opinion is freely ex-
pressed here that the republican organ
izatlon of Illinois will be seriously
broken by the loss of its trusted leader
80 much 80 as to render the capture of
the state by the Democrats, at the next
election, more than probable. BY that
time it will be.thirty years since an
Illinois Democrat was elected to the
United States Senate and the scramble
for for the place, with the slightest
chances of success, would be unprece-
dented.